The second generation open source laser cutter/engraver design from buildlog.net is complete. The new machine is called the Buildlog.net 2.x Laser. The name comes from the fact that this is the second generation machine and it is basically a 2 axis design. The third, vertical axis, is manually controlled with an optional upgrade to digital control. The 2.x Laser takes all the optimizations learned from the first laser and all the other lasers documented on buildlog.net forum.

The usable work envelope is just under 12” x 20” x 4”. The internal design has been optimized so the overall size of the machine is much smaller than the previous design and can easily fit on a small table. It is designed to work with 40W CO2 lasers sealed gas lasers. The frame is built from inexpensive 20mm aluminum T Slot extrusions and the skin is made from a painted aluminum and HDPE laminate.

The first major improvement is in the linear bearing system. The 2.x Laser uses Delrin V groove wheels running on V rails. The custom Delrin bearings are a lot cheaper and run smoother and quieter than the previous metal on metal system.

The next major improvement is in the electronics layout. All the primary electronic systems are contained in a simple electronics module. This has an interface PCB that makes wiring a simple 1:1 connection for each item. The module is removable so all assembly can be done outside the enclosure. The electronics are compatible with 3.3V or 5V control systems whether they are PC based like EMC2 or Mach3 or dedicated commercial or open source controllers.

The original laser attempted to be self replicating with regards to most of the fabricated parts. That limited the materials that could be used. The 2.x Laser drops that goal and concentrates on a more robust design with stronger metal parts. Shimming, drilling and tapping fragile parts is no longer required. The rest of the design was simplified wherever possible. There are less parts and many of the parts self align.

The design is completely open source with all drawings, schematics, BOMs (with sources and prices), 3D models, build instructions, software and Gerber files available. There are kits for anything that is not readily available for people who cannot fabricate their own. Due to the smaller size, the enclosure skins can now be fabricated on smaller home routers or can be purchased as a kit.

The design is supported by a robust community of laser builders and users at the buildlog.net forum.

It depends how much you do on your own. The project is setup so people with access to a CNC router can do a lot on their own. It will probably cost $450 to $800 to get a running XY system under CNC control. You then need to add the laser tube and power supply which will add another $400 or more.

buildlog.net has some horrible policies. They require registration just to READ their documents! Even the infamous instructables.net hasn’t stooped to this level. Not only that…but accounts require manual activation by the administrator??

The only thing you need to register for is to see the BOM. Everything else can be anonymously read. The BOM is a live, editable micro ERP system that needs some form of authentication. Rather than write that portion scratch, I hacked into the forum’s system. I have been meaning to add a read only guest user, but have not had the time. I have been a little busy.

Edit — done…guest access allowed. Now use that 30 seconds I saved you to give back to some open source community somewhere 😉

[…] takes off, evidence of the benefits of this practice continues to surface in projects such as the BuildLog.net 2.x Laser project, a 2nd generation open source laser cutting/engraving station created by Barton Dring over […]

There are a lot of software options. It can be run from CAM controllers like Mach3 or EMC2 (open source). It can also be run from dedicated embedded controllers. There are several commercial versions and a few open source projects. I did a prove of concept open source XMOS based controller. There is this project… http://www.laoslaser.org/. There are also a few, yet to be announced projects in development.

Hi,
Nice work that you did there !
Can you please give some examples of the max. thickness you can cut in various materials with 40W ? How about wood, acrylic, etc …
Also, can you engrave “light” metal ?
Thank you

First time listener here. So I basically know nothing about any of this but I am fascinated by it. The one thing I did notice a few times was how many people write snippy notes or out and out rude ones. Now I am guessing the creator here is not making billions doing this and based on the amount of free information, they are probably not making a whole heck of a lot.
Well all I really wanted to say was this
Thanks very much. I think this is all very cool, I would love to have one but admittedly I am not very electronically gifted, nonetheless, thanks for sharing this with all of us.

[…] selling the current CNC table that I have. The laser cutter that I would like to build in the one listed over at Buildlog.net. It has the same rough dimensions on the cutting surface that I have now, […]

[…] What’s really handy is that Open Source machine has a large community behind it. Head to the Buildlog.net blog and join the forum to view all drawings, schematics, build instructions, and source files that are […]

I would love to build one of these, but, my current financial situation prevents me from doing so. I was looking at some of the drawings and noticed that some of the motor brackets, limit switch brackets, etc. are made from acrylic or other plastic. Is there a reason you wouldn’t want them made out of aluminum?

Divergence is probably not the big problem. Accuracy of the alignment and machine would be. If you could make a machine 3x larger with the same quality as a small one the accuracy would still be 3 times worse. I don’t know of any general purpose flying optic machines of that size. It would probably work if you mounted the laser to the gantry.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do it on the buildlog.net forum.

I have just been reading about your very impressive project and had an idea with regard to adjusting the alignment of the laser by using 3 or 4 other lasers along the lines of those used in laser pointers – and I might be completely brain fried but thought id mention it.
A small round collar fitted with laser diodes of differnet frequencies in tight formation no more than a mm apart would provide a targeting reticule, the mirrors would be temporarily replaced with mirrors of the same size, type and dimensions with two lines scored through the diagonal axis these lines could be marked with carbon pencil lead and polished into the cracks with a non lint cloth to provide a target plane to that when the four different pointer lasers were in effect positioned equally around the outside of the X you should have perfect targeting.
I haven’t thought at all about how difficult this would be to achieve it was just a thought I had to avoid the hit and miss, adjust, retry methodology that was being used, a puff of co2 might be required as well to show the weaker lasers positions, I think it might also might have the advantage of avoiding any angular disparity in the final laser setup – ergo no .03 degree left tilt on a cut or anything annoying like that. Anyway I hope this thought can help you make this project even better – although it’s mightily impressive right now.

I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems
with your blog. It appears like some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please
provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?

This may be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Many thanks

I wanted to say thank you for making these resources available to your fellow DIY enthusiasts. I am in the process of conceptualizing and eventually building my own 48″x48″ laser cutter. Being able to review and study other successful designs has been invaluable thus far.